Flagpolled! Detailed Story! Urgent Question

[ayay]

Summary

Finally got my 3 year work permit through flag polling had applied online as well. Please tell me how can I withdraw my online application and it would be a great bonus for me if I can get my 255 back because I dont think my online application would have been processed. Please help me in this regard. Thanks.


Following is my detailed story

I had done two different 1 year post graduate programs (one from humber another from georgebrown) and graduated in December 2015. My study permit is to expire on 30 March 2016. As soon as I graduated, after getting all the documents (transcripts and confirmation of graduation) I applied online for my pgwp in the first week of Jan 2016 and returned to my home country (Pakistan) for vacations. Came back last week and landed at Pearson International. I asked from the immigration if I can apply for my pgwp and how flagpoling works. They told me that they cant process my pgwp as I was coming from outside NORTH AMERICA (continent). Yes CBSA can only process those pgwp if you are coming to Canada from United States only (atleast that was the information that was given to me at Pearson International Airport by the CBSA). I then asked what should I do and they told me that I should go to Niagra Falls Border (Rainbow Bridge) and explained the process of flagpolling. He also noticed that I had already applied online and encouraged me to wait until a decision is to be made but I said i am willing to pay again (255) and he was okay with thay

Went to Rainbow Bridge with my friends yesterday. US officials gave us the white paper ( administrative refusal). I had valid US Visa as well and asked the US officials that I can enter US for 5 mins and then come back as I dont want any issues or refusals. The US officials categorically said that it WOULD NOT have any impact on my future applications or entries to US and there is no need for me to declare anywhere if I have been refused entry to any country while applying for visa's or permits in future. The process took 10 mins. Went to Canadian Side. Told them we are here for our pgwp. Waited for about 3 hrs and finally got our 3 year permits.

Now here come the tricky part. As soon as every one looks three years on the permit they do not focus on the rest of the details of the permit. Thanks to this forum I was aware that you need to keep in consideration few important details.
Employer should be left blank/open/unknown
Employment location should be open or unknown and there should not be written RESTRICTED or RESTRICTIONS on the pgwp.

My work permit had Employment Location as Toronto and Employer as Marketing. I told the officer that I need a new workpermit and dont want it like this. At first she said it does not make a difference and its okay if your employer has any problem tell them to contact us. But I insisted and said respectfully that I want it to be changed now. She then said she can call his supervisor and then I talked with her supervisor and he said it could be done right now and asked me to wait. Apparently her supervisor gave her a hard time because she was processing all the pgwp like this and they had an argument and I could listen to some of there conversation in the waiting area. After 5 mins she called me, (was not looking happy at all) and gave me a new work permit this time a correct one and same happened with my friend as well.

We got our 3 year work permits through two one year post graduate certificates from different colleges. Thanks to all the active members and I would advise those who dont want to wait to go for flagpolling. Believe me I had the same doubts as you guys might have but it all worked out.

 

[nurat]

Summary

Finally got my 3 year work permit through flag polling had applied online as well. Please tell me how can I withdraw my online application and it would be a great bonus for me if I can get my 255 back because I dont think my online application would have been processed. Please help me in this regard. Thanks.


Following is my detailed story

I had done two different 1 year post graduate programs (one from humber another from georgebrown) and graduated in December 2015. My study permit is to expire on 30 March 2016. As soon as I graduated, after getting all the documents (transcripts and confirmation of graduation) I applied online for my pgwp in the first week of Jan 2016 and returned to my home country (Pakistan) for vacations. Came back last week and landed at Pearson International. I asked from the immigration if I can apply for my pgwp and how flagpoling works. They told me that they cant process my pgwp as I was coming from outside NORTH AMERICA (continent). Yes CBSA can only process those pgwp if you are coming to Canada from United States only (atleast that was the information that was given to me at Pearson International Airport by the CBSA). I then asked what should I do and they told me that I should go to Niagra Falls Border (Rainbow Bridge) and explained the process of flagpolling. He also noticed that I had already applied online and encouraged me to wait until a decision is to be made but I said i am willing to pay again (255) and he was okay with thay

Went to Rainbow Bridge with my friends yesterday. US officials gave us the white paper ( administrative refusal). I had valid US Visa as well and asked the US officials that I can enter US for 5 mins and then come back as I dont want any issues or refusals. The US officials categorically said that it WOULD NOT have any impact on my future applications or entries to US and there is no need for me to declare anywhere if I have been refused entry to any country while applying for visa's or permits in future. The process took 10 mins. Went to Canadian Side. Told them we are here for our pgwp. Waited for about 3 hrs and finally got our 3 year permits.

Now here come the tricky part. As soon as every one looks three years on the permit they do not focus on the rest of the details of the permit. Thanks to this forum I was aware that you need to keep in consideration few important details.
Employer should be left blank/open/unknown
Employment location should be open or unknown and there should not be written RESTRICTED or RESTRICTIONS on the pgwp.

My work permit had Employment Location as Toronto and Employer as Marketing. I told the officer that I need a new workpermit and dont want it like this. At first she said it does not make a difference and its okay if your employer has any problem tell them to contact us. But I insisted and said respectfully that I want it to be changed now. She then said she can call his supervisor and then I talked with her supervisor and he said it could be done right now and asked me to wait. Apparently her supervisor gave her a hard time because she was processing all the pgwp like this and they had an argument and I could listen to some of there conversation in the waiting area. After 5 mins she called me, (was not looking happy at all) and gave me a new work permit this time a correct one and same happened with my friend as well.

We got our 3 year work permits through two one year post graduate certificates from different colleges. Thanks to all the active members and I would advise those who dont want to wait to go for flagpolling. Believe me I had the same doubts as you guys might have but it all worked out.

Let me know if you find a way, I am in the same boat...

 

[krishnadabir]

Summary

Finally got my 3 year work permit through flag polling had applied online as well. Please tell me how can I withdraw my online application and it would be a great bonus for me if I can get my 255 back because I dont think my online application would have been processed. Please help me in this regard. Thanks.


Following is my detailed story

I had done two different 1 year post graduate programs (one from humber another from georgebrown) and graduated in December 2015. My study permit is to expire on 30 March 2016. As soon as I graduated, after getting all the documents (transcripts and confirmation of graduation) I applied online for my pgwp in the first week of Jan 2016 and returned to my home country (Pakistan) for vacations. Came back last week and landed at Pearson International. I asked from the immigration if I can apply for my pgwp and how flagpoling works. They told me that they cant process my pgwp as I was coming from outside NORTH AMERICA (continent). Yes CBSA can only process those pgwp if you are coming to Canada from United States only (atleast that was the information that was given to me at Pearson International Airport by the CBSA). I then asked what should I do and they told me that I should go to Niagra Falls Border (Rainbow Bridge) and explained the process of flagpolling. He also noticed that I had already applied online and encouraged me to wait until a decision is to be made but I said i am willing to pay again (255) and he was okay with thay

Went to Rainbow Bridge with my friends yesterday. US officials gave us the white paper ( administrative refusal). I had valid US Visa as well and asked the US officials that I can enter US for 5 mins and then come back as I dont want any issues or refusals. The US officials categorically said that it WOULD NOT have any impact on my future applications or entries to US and there is no need for me to declare anywhere if I have been refused entry to any country while applying for visa's or permits in future. The process took 10 mins. Went to Canadian Side. Told them we are here for our pgwp. Waited for about 3 hrs and finally got our 3 year permits.

Now here come the tricky part. As soon as every one looks three years on the permit they do not focus on the rest of the details of the permit. Thanks to this forum I was aware that you need to keep in consideration few important details.
Employer should be left blank/open/unknown
Employment location should be open or unknown and there should not be written RESTRICTED or RESTRICTIONS on the pgwp.

My work permit had Employment Location as Toronto and Employer as Marketing. I told the officer that I need a new workpermit and dont want it like this. At first she said it does not make a difference and its okay if your employer has any problem tell them to contact us. But I insisted and said respectfully that I want it to be changed now. She then said she can call his supervisor and then I talked with her supervisor and he said it could be done right now and asked me to wait. Apparently her supervisor gave her a hard time because she was processing all the pgwp like this and they had an argument and I could listen to some of there conversation in the waiting area. After 5 mins she called me, (was not looking happy at all) and gave me a new work permit this time a correct one and same happened with my friend as well.

We got our 3 year work permits through two one year post graduate certificates from different colleges. Thanks to all the active members and I would advise those who dont want to wait to go for flag polling. Believe me I had the same doubts as you guys might have but it all worked out.

Hi ayay,

Need your help urgently !!!! I'm going to flagpole tomorrow at the rainbow bridge...I completed my MAS from Vancouver it is officially a 2 year program (so per CIC I should get a 3 yr WP)...it is mentioned on my official graduation letter too....but I completed it within 1 yr 3 months...so here's my concern....will the officer raise any questions over this? Did they ask for any other additional documents? Most importantly did they ask you why you didn't do it online...in the sense why you were flag-poling? Since I'm going on a weekend (as my 90 day timeline expires on Apr 12th) can you advice which time of the day is it best to go in? Would appreciate all your help ! Thank you!

 

[major89]

I completed my study in 2 years and 5 months. So, I can't comment whether 1 year 3 months study will create any problem or not. But I can say the best time to go to the border is either early morning or late evening. Because the borders are less crowded.

My detailed story. It might help someone who wants to flagpole in Quebec.


I, my friend and one more friend drive a car to Champlain - Lacolle border for Post Graduate Open Work Permit (PGWP) on February, 25th 2016. Neither I nor my friend had a US visa. Though, the friend who was driving is a Canadian Citizen.

The actual plan was that the friend only to drive us till the border then we are crossing the border on foot. Due to heavy snowfall and night time, one of the Canadian officer (he was passing by) didn't allow us to cross the border manually.

So, we used the car to reach the US part of the border. The officer asked us the reason. I and my friend told him that we are here to flagpole which enables us to apply PGWP and 2nd friend is accompanying us. Then the officer asked us to drive to a near building and park the car. The officer outside the building asked us to deposit the car key. Then we wait for 10-15 minutes in the US border office building. After that, the officer enquired us with the traditional questions like 'Do you have a US visa?', 'Have you ever been to US?', 'Have you ever transited through US?' etc. Then they gave us the white paper ( administrative refusal) and a pink paper to be handed to the officer to give back the car keys. Went to Canadian Side. Told them we are here for our PGWP. We were asked our Passport, Valid CAQ & Study Permit, Degree completion letter, Official transcript and $255.
Waited for about 30 minutes and finally got our 3-year permits. We verified the 'Given Name', 'Family Name', 'Date Issued', 'Expiry Date', 'Employer', 'Employment Location' etc. We left after verifying all the details.

 

[Vitro]

I completed my study in 2 years and 5 months. So, I can't comment whether 1 year 3 months study will create any problem or not. But I can say the best time to go to the border is either early morning or late evening. Because the borders are less crowded.

My detailed story. It might help someone who wants to flagpole in Quebec.


I, my friend and one more friend drive a car to Champlain - Lacolle border for Post Graduate Open Work Permit (PGWP) on February, 25th 2016. Neither I nor my friend had a US visa. Though, the friend who was driving is a Canadian Citizen.

The actual plan was that the friend only to drive us till the border then we are crossing the border on foot. Due to heavy snowfall and night time, one of the Canadian officer (he was passing by) didn't allow us to cross the border manually.

So, we used the car to reach the US part of the border. The officer asked us the reason. I and my friend told him that we are here to flagpole which enables us to apply PGWP and 2nd friend is accompanying us. Then the officer asked us to drive to a near building and park the car. The officer outside the building asked us to deposit the car key. Then we wait for 10-15 minutes in the US border office building. After that, the officer enquired us with the traditional questions like 'Do you have a US visa?', 'Have you ever been to US?', 'Have you ever transited through US?' etc. Then they gave us the white paper ( administrative refusal) and a pink paper to be handed to the officer to give back the car keys. Went to Canadian Side. Told them we are here for our PGWP. We were asked our Passport, Valid CAQ & Study Permit, Degree completion letter, Official transcript and $255.
Waited for about 30 minutes and finally got our 3-year permits. We verified the 'Given Name', 'Family Name', 'Date Issued', 'Expiry Date', 'Employer', 'Employment Location' etc. We left after verifying all the details.

didi they ask for the TRV visa?

 

[frustratedcanadian]

Hi ayay,

Need your help urgently !!!! I'm going to flagpole tomorrow at the rainbow bridge...I completed my MAS from Vancouver it is officially a 2 year program (so per CIC I should get a 3 yr WP)...it is mentioned on my official graduation letter too....but I completed it within 1 yr 3 months...so here's my concern....will the officer raise any questions over this? Did they ask for any other additional documents? Most importantly did they ask you why you didn't do it online...in the sense why you were flag-poling? Since I'm going on a weekend (as my 90 day timeline expires on Apr 12th) can you advice which time of the day is it best to go in? Would appreciate all your help ! Thank you!

Same question! Please let me know if they do ask questions about why we did flagpole and not apply online. I will also be flagpoling through the Peace Arch Border soon!

 

[Nreddy]

Hi,

same happened to me as well, my employment location in my post graduate work permit typed as TORONTO.
i applied for an amendment of temporary resident visa i.e. my pgwp. moreover i attached proof of emergency too.
could you let me know how can i get is sooner. i need my amended work permit in 15 days. i called CIC and they asked me to request CIC to change the employment location.
but i need this urgently, since OINP was asking me for an amended work permit in 30 days.

Thanks & Regards

 

[Konok keya]

Summary

Finally got my 3 year work permit through flag polling had applied online as well. Please tell me how can I withdraw my online application and it would be a great bonus for me if I can get my 255 back because I dont think my online application would have been processed. Please help me in this regard. Thanks.


Following is my detailed story

I had done two different 1 year post graduate programs (one from humber another from georgebrown) and graduated in December 2015. My study permit is to expire on 30 March 2016. As soon as I graduated, after getting all the documents (transcripts and confirmation of graduation) I applied online for my pgwp in the first week of Jan 2016 and returned to my home country (Pakistan) for vacations. Came back last week and landed at Pearson International. I asked from the immigration if I can apply for my pgwp and how flagpoling works. They told me that they cant process my pgwp as I was coming from outside NORTH AMERICA (continent). Yes CBSA can only process those pgwp if you are coming to Canada from United States only (atleast that was the information that was given to me at Pearson International Airport by the CBSA). I then asked what should I do and they told me that I should go to Niagra Falls Border (Rainbow Bridge) and explained the process of flagpolling. He also noticed that I had already applied online and encouraged me to wait until a decision is to be made but I said i am willing to pay again (255) and he was okay with thay

Went to Rainbow Bridge with my friends yesterday. US officials gave us the white paper ( administrative refusal). I had valid US Visa as well and asked the US officials that I can enter US for 5 mins and then come back as I dont want any issues or refusals. The US officials categorically said that it WOULD NOT have any impact on my future applications or entries to US and there is no need for me to declare anywhere if I have been refused entry to any country while applying for visa's or permits in future. The process took 10 mins. Went to Canadian Side. Told them we are here for our pgwp. Waited for about 3 hrs and finally got our 3 year permits.

Now here come the tricky part. As soon as every one looks three years on the permit they do not focus on the rest of the details of the permit. Thanks to this forum I was aware that you need to keep in consideration few important details.
Employer should be left blank/open/unknown
Employment location should be open or unknown and there should not be written RESTRICTED or RESTRICTIONS on the pgwp.

My work permit had Employment Location as Toronto and Employer as Marketing. I told the officer that I need a new workpermit and dont want it like this. At first she said it does not make a difference and its okay if your employer has any problem tell them to contact us. But I insisted and said respectfully that I want it to be changed now. She then said she can call his supervisor and then I talked with her supervisor and he said it could be done right now and asked me to wait. Apparently her supervisor gave her a hard time because she was processing all the pgwp like this and they had an argument and I could listen to some of there conversation in the waiting area. After 5 mins she called me, (was not looking happy at all) and gave me a new work permit this time a correct one and same happened with my friend as well.

We got our 3 year work permits through two one year post graduate certificates from different colleges. Thanks to all the active members and I would advise those who dont want to wait to go for flagpolling. Believe me I had the same doubts as you guys might have but it all worked out.

I also got my PGWP from border after applying online but my concern is if i don't withdraw my online application what will happen? if I don't want refund and don't do withdraw my applied online PGWP application is it ok?

 

[bjami]

Summary

Finally got my 3 year work permit through flag polling had applied online as well. Please tell me how can I withdraw my online application and it would be a great bonus for me if I can get my 255 back because I dont think my online application would have been processed. Please help me in this regard. Thanks.


Following is my detailed story

I had done two different 1 year post graduate programs (one from humber another from georgebrown) and graduated in December 2015. My study permit is to expire on 30 March 2016. As soon as I graduated, after getting all the documents (transcripts and confirmation of graduation) I applied online for my pgwp in the first week of Jan 2016 and returned to my home country (Pakistan) for vacations. Came back last week and landed at Pearson International. I asked from the immigration if I can apply for my pgwp and how flagpoling works. They told me that they cant process my pgwp as I was coming from outside NORTH AMERICA (continent). Yes CBSA can only process those pgwp if you are coming to Canada from United States only (atleast that was the information that was given to me at Pearson International Airport by the CBSA). I then asked what should I do and they told me that I should go to Niagra Falls Border (Rainbow Bridge) and explained the process of flagpolling. He also noticed that I had already applied online and encouraged me to wait until a decision is to be made but I said i am willing to pay again (255) and he was okay with thay

Went to Rainbow Bridge with my friends yesterday. US officials gave us the white paper ( administrative refusal). I had valid US Visa as well and asked the US officials that I can enter US for 5 mins and then come back as I dont want any issues or refusals. The US officials categorically said that it WOULD NOT have any impact on my future applications or entries to US and there is no need for me to declare anywhere if I have been refused entry to any country while applying for visa's or permits in future. The process took 10 mins. Went to Canadian Side. Told them we are here for our pgwp. Waited for about 3 hrs and finally got our 3 year permits.

Now here come the tricky part. As soon as every one looks three years on the permit they do not focus on the rest of the details of the permit. Thanks to this forum I was aware that you need to keep in consideration few important details.
Employer should be left blank/open/unknown
Employment location should be open or unknown and there should not be written RESTRICTED or RESTRICTIONS on the pgwp.

My work permit had Employment Location as Toronto and Employer as Marketing. I told the officer that I need a new workpermit and dont want it like this. At first she said it does not make a difference and its okay if your employer has any problem tell them to contact us. But I insisted and said respectfully that I want it to be changed now. She then said she can call his supervisor and then I talked with her supervisor and he said it could be done right now and asked me to wait. Apparently her supervisor gave her a hard time because she was processing all the pgwp like this and they had an argument and I could listen to some of there conversation in the waiting area. After 5 mins she called me, (was not looking happy at all) and gave me a new work permit this time a correct one and same happened with my friend as well.

We got our 3 year work permits through two one year post graduate certificates from different colleges. Thanks to all the active members and I would advise those who dont want to wait to go for flagpolling. Believe me I had the same doubts as you guys might have but it all worked out.

Thanks for posting this detailed journey. I was able to follow this and get my PGWP at the coutts border.

My Case: I finished my MBA in an Ontario university and moved to Calgary for my job. While i was in ontario, I was on a study permit and my wife is on a open work permit based on my study permit. As part of the campus recruitment, i was able to get a job in Calgary. I applied PWGP+my wife's open work permit extension online so that i can start working. 1 Month into my work, i was able to secure the required payslips and so went to get my work permits (me and my wife) at the coutts border (because i needed the Alberta health plan as my ontario Health plan has the same validity as my student permit which was about to expire in 3 weeks)

The below is my experience (similar to the one that is mentioned in the comment above):

Went on a Saturday morning at 1PM. The immigration line was free. In the 1 hr i spent 2 other people came in, but they left after clearing some questions they had. They are open 7 days a week as per the following link. Note: Immigration services are only available from 08:00 to 23:00 7 days a week.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/offices-bureaux/646-eng.html

Went to the US border --> stated my intention to get my Canadian work permit --> The US officer took 10 min and gave me the refusal to enter (white sheet). I asked him if this will stand against me in the future and he said NO (because i was ready to use my US visa, if it has any negative effects, but the officer said NO and i don't need to mention this anywhere in the future) --> Took the white rejection letter to the Canadian border --> border officer sent me to the Immigration officer --> Took almost an hour and got my PGWP

P.S: You dont need a US visa to go to the US border to get this done.

Documents required:

All Permits, Passports, letter from university about completion of my MBA, Official transcript (preferably in a closed envelope from the university), offer letter from the employer (i needed this because i was applying for my wife's open work permit as well), 3 Recent paystubs (i needed this as i was applying for my wife's open work permit as well)

P.S: You don't need the offer letter and the pay stubs , if you are applying for a PGWP for yourself (and no other permits for the dependents)

Total fee paid: 680 CAD (for 2 people) - includes 170$ for bio-metrics (for 2 people).

Reason to flagpole: Online wait time for PGWP is 90 days and my Ontario health plan is about to expire in the next 3 weeks (45 Days into the wait). Alberta would not give me health coverage because my study permit is about to expire in the next 3 weeks. They asked me to get me a valid permit to give me Alberta Health (this is what i said and they did not ask me my Ontario cards to check the validity - Just saying)

Status of the online application: I applied to withdraw my online application through the IRCC web form and raised the question to get my online fee back. I did not receive a response yet, but i believe i won't get it as my application status is "WE ARE PRocessing your application ... Blah Blah" and as i read on the CIC website, there will no refunds if the processing has started. I will update about this issue once its finalized.

Hope this helps for future applicants.